All Blacks take Australia to task

New Zealand All Black center Tana Umaga, center, heads towards the tryline with teammates Richie McCaw, right, and Doug Howlet, second from left, in support as Australia's Matt Burke, left, looks on during their Tri Nations rugby union test match at Sydney's Stadium, Australia, Saturday. The All Blacks defeated Australia 50-21.

PHOTO: AP

Flying winger Joe Rokocoko scored three tries as New Zealand exploited an overlap and some defensive flaws to thrash Australia 50-21 Saturday and highlight its dominance of the Tri-Nations rugby union tournament.

The All Blacks crossed seven times at Stadium Australia, pounding the Wallabies' disorganized defense out wide and matching the haul of tries from its 52-16 demolition of South Africa in Pretoria last week. It was one of Australia's worst test losses and third consecutive defeat, it's worst stretch since 1995.

Rokocoko has scored 10 tries in his last five tests, including a hat trick in the 31-23 win over the French and two last week against

The New Zealanders crossed twice in two minutes while Wendell Sailor was in the sinbin late in the first half to establish a decisive advantage. Australia scored first when Burke dived over in the 8th minute after Mat Rogers broke the line in midfield before combining with Lote Tuqiri and Sailor to move the ball into the attacking quarter.

George Gregan spread it wide from the resulting ruck to Kefu, who gave the last pass to Burke.

Carlos Spencer narrowed the margin with a long range goal in the 12th minute and Rokocoko got his first try nine minutes later after the All Blacks pinched a lineout on Australia's throw.

Spencer looped around Aaron Mauger on the 22 and picked up Rokocoko, who beat Sailor en route to the corner.

Sailor was sent to the sinbin for an illegal tackle on Mils Muliaina as the New Zealand fullback jumped to take a high ball in the 24th minute. Despite the disadvantage, Burke equalized with a goal from wide on the left side.

But Doug Howlett opened the floodgates in the 33rd, beating attempted tackles from Burke and George Gregan on the quarterline and scoring under the posts after Mauger burst upfield.

Spencer converted and the New Zealanders extended it to 20-8 two minutes later when Rokocoko scored again on a counter-attacking raid from deep inside their own half. Umaga made space, passed to Muliaina, who drew three defenders and sent Rokocoko on a 40m sprint to the corner.

Burke and Spencer traded penalties before halftime to make it 23-11 at the interval.

Spencer was on target again five minutes after halftime to increase the lead to 26-11 and Umaga scored a try after the All Blacks twice spread the ball the width of the field to open up the Australian defense. Daniel Carter replaced Spencer in the 54th minute and grabbed New Zealand's fifth try three minutes later.

The Australians got a consolation when Sailor burst onto the ball from a setpiece, split the defense, wrong-footed Rokocoko and carried Muliaina over the line.

But Rokocoko made amends for his rare miss, getting his third try inside the last 10 minutes, diving over in the corner after the New Zealanders won a lineout ball inside the attacking quarter and spread it wide.

Rogers and Mauger finished off the scoring, Rogers crossing in the 77th for Australia and Mauger diving over in injury time.